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Fruita Monument fast break on full display in runaway victory over Durango

Their identity is beginning to shed layers, one by one, and now Fruita Monument is established as a fast-breaking, head-snapping team.

Who is this Fruita Monument girls basketball team? It’s Lauren LaBonde in the first quarter on Saturday catching up to a fast break and, surging from behind, knocking the ball off a Durango’s guard’s leg and out of bounds, then snatching the inbounds pass running and hitting Sam Parks for a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

Another layer to the ground. But even after the host Wildcats’ 52-18 win over the Demons, Fruita coach Richard Atkins doesn’t see the final product.

“We’re scoring a lot in transition, not in half-court,” Atkins said. “We want to go to a higher level than what you see now. More defensive pressure for more turnovers.”

Fruita played an early season schedule that included teams now ranked No. 1 (Regis Jesuit) and No. 6 (Chaparral), both of which were losses. They’re tougher for it, Atkins said, and the Wildcats have won three straight games heading into Tuesday’s 6 p.m. game against Class 4A No. 9 Montrose.

On Saturday, Fruita had leads of 10-0, 19-2 and, early in the second quarter, 21-8.

That’s when Atkins subbed in his starting five — LaBonde, Parks, Fair, Vanessa Herrera, and Eden Laase — for his second team, a substitution method he’s showcased throughout the season.

Seconds later, LaBonde hit a 3-pointer, and Fruita led 24-8.

Atkins said he can substitute one set of five for another because the level of play does not drop drastically.

Another layer shed. Fruita is balanced and usually well-rested.

And the flair remains. After LaBonde’s second-quarter 3-pointer, Herrera blocked the shot of Durango’s Emily McCue, and, after a pair of passes relayed like a baseball double-play, Herrera was in position for a close shot. A “whoo” slipped from the crowd, and Parks rebounded Herrera’s miss and was fouled on a shot.

She hit two free throws, and Fruita led 29-10 at halftime.

Still, no Fruita mercy.

“We’ve had teams come back on us in the past,” Herrera said, “so we know how it feels.”